Chasing Aurora and Clamming

Well April 12th weekend, we and other states had strong predictions for Northern Lights. Homer is pretty south so we tend to not get them as well as Fairbanks. But my hopes were high. On Friday night, I prepared for my nite out because I am in town and facing south I can't see them from my window. I made hot tea, brought my headlamp and HW to read, music, water, granola bar, and of course camera and my new wired remote device to help with taking nite pix. At midnight I set out to an overlook 2 miles out of town. Wow what a difference. I saw so many stars and a waning crescent moon.

I tested my night camera ability with the moon, but not having a tripod makes it impossible to get a good clear shot. After 10 mins in 17 degree weather, I went back into my little old truck to warm up. I then realized my camera batter died. Even though at home it said full, I should have charged it up to be sure. I also realized my truck windows were wicked dirty, so I tried to clean it up with water and a rag.

I was getting cold, so I drove to a new location to turn the heat on and get to a darker spot. I went up the hill about 15 mins and about 1,000 ft up. Found a good safe spot to park and chill. I read, listened to music through my ipod touch and portable speaker which was awesome because the truck could be off and it was a good solution because my radio does not work. I kept turning my headlamp off to look up. At about 1:30 I saw a shooting star, which was quick but caught my attention and made me smile.

It's kinda boring doing this solo but I kept busy. I thought about wild animals coming to my truck and what I would do. If I was in the populated L48 I knew I would be worried about some strange psycho attacking me, but not here. I had merino wool long johns, snow boarding pants, thick wool sweater, long puffy down coat, smart wool socks and my warm black boots. This is my usual attire when I go to the beach too. So weird! My toes managed to hurt still and I don't like the idea of idling for heat. I waited 30 more mins till 2am and called it in. I was getting hungry even after my midnight granola bar snack. I still had a chance the next night.

Next day I went clamming with a fun group of peeps. Windy but lots of sunlight and clams! Later that night, my friend had an awesome goddess girl dinner and clothing exchange party. She was near my northern lights spot I was parked in last night. I thought I would go for a bit then go home for a nap till 3am and venture off again. But long story short, I stayed the night. Every hour looking out the window till 4am when I gave in as I was so tired. So no lights for me, but still had an awesome dinner party, clamming day and next day skiing in the sun. Great living here. I hope to see the lights next winter, another reason to stay another winter :)  Pix click here. 

Springing Forward

I am hopeful that this summer will be warmer than last. And I do not mean literally in higher temps and less rain, but more so mentally speaking. Spending a full winter and soon to be year in AK as of May 9th, I have come to understand the space a bit better.

Not that Homer winters are super cold compared to Northern Alaska and this last winter was pretty mild. But coming from lots of darkness to now seeing the sun quickly making its presence known to us again with comforting warmth, I can feel life coming back to be. That sun proudly standing high above than before. The angle is so high you can truly feel its heat. I can see the extremes shouting out at as us.  Truly amazing time warp. It now gets dark after 9pm!

Last summer, I recall being amazed at how quickly things grow here in a matter of months and bursts before your eyes. But coming from winter, it's more dramatic and extreme. Seeing more of the whole than a fraction. Makes ya think and appreciate, be amazed and wonder. It will also be interesting to see this small town transition to a tourist hot spots, lots of fishing and summer jobs with summer seasoned people to be had. It's gonna be weird coming from that side and now seeing it from the town side.

I've been happy with my deicison to stay a winter and not puss out before the cold got colder. As we all know, I despise cold and my hands/feet don't handle it so well. Experiencing the locals and day to day life, without the many summer distractions, has been rewarding and still winter keeps u busy here. I will see summer in a new way: from the change in weather to seeing the tourists pour in. Such a different energy and extrreme transformations to witness.


Thank you to all my friends in Alaska that has helped me make it through the year providing me with warm clothes and gear, house to stay when i was in between housing, to jobs, to home grown food to listening to my craziness when I did not know what to do last fall. I also had a super fun nice Easter dinner with a group of 20 something year olds. Lots of food and chatter.

Click here for March pictures.

Winter Time in Fairbanks, Well not exactly

I spent a quick weekend in Fairbanks which is about 3 hrs plane flight with a layover in anchorage. I met with a public radio station there at the university to talk about some work stuff. I went on a Friday so I could check the city out and hang with a friend, Rachel, I made two summers ago wwoofing on an island near Juneau.

I've been both terrified and curious about the winter up in the north. They get as low as -60. Yes, that's a real temperature. But they are inland which means not much wind or rain. It's pretty dry there and they also have sunny days. And now with gaining 6 mins of daylight a day, the sun is felling nice and warm. But I brought up the warmth with 30 deg temps. Night were chilly with single digits but we did not go out late. I was pooped.

I got to ski on my first river with 4 dogs, do an 8 hr drive to a hot springs in a green house, community sauna, do an intense yoga/pilates class (it hurt to laugh or cough 3 days afterwards), and checked out the only 2 breweries in town. And got to know Rachel better. She has a super outlook on life and inspiring attitude.

Overall it was a great trip. It's interesting that there's such a huge university up there and I was surprised to see so many young females. But I must say, I still love the Homer scenery even with our cooler summers and cloudier/wetter weather! Click here for some shots.

Homer Feb: ski, write and light

I can't believe in just a few weeks how much daylight we have. Jan was a rough energy month for me. So happy it has  past. Now energy is higher than normal and i am already having a hard time making my bed time of 11pm. so crazy how light effects the body. sunset is at 630 and there's more hours to come! And soon we have daylight savings which is not really needed in AK.

Been busy with reading and writing for my class. I expected it to be difficult, but learning how many challenges writers faces and not sure if this is something I can stick with in the long run. I just do not see myself being able to give more time to it which is so needed....

My goal is to cross country ski at least once a week which is a great workout and nice way to get fresh air here. And soon, I will be able to go after work because of the daylight. I also just tried skate skiing which is more of a work out  and boy can my buns feel it the next day, but I think I prefer cross country for now. Not much else to report Click here for small photo album. 

Fur Rondy in Anchorage

What's Fur Rondy? Well, it started as a three day winter fesitval in Anchorage back in the 30s when only 3,000 people lived there! Now, there's over 300,000 residents! My town has about 5,500. With little entertainment back in those days and brutally cold, dark winters, this festival brightened up spirits.

After 70s years, it's national and international known and now has two weeks worth of events.  Fur trade was a huge economic force in AK back then and the fur auction still continues. Yup, lots of fur. People wearing full animals like foxes on their heads. I think now with the advances of technology making great gear (animal free), warmer housing, not having to be outdoors all day doing daily chores, and lovely global warming, the fur could be toned down. But that's my opinion.
For more history info, click here. To see cool pictures including the famed outhouse races and blanket toss (jumping on walrus and seal hide), including a video of me doing that, click here. The blanket toss it is a native tradition and at least one of those lasts a long time and serves hundreds of people vs fur serving one per person.

T 200 dog sled race & Winter Carnival (Mardi Gras)

First weekend in February, I attended my first dog sled race with Rick and Dorle. We drove up to the starting line, about an hour north of Homer. There were 700 sled dogs and boy can you hear them. Once they are hooked up, they are super excited and LOUD before take off. They even have to attach a snow machine at the back of the sled to slow them down in the beginning. Crazy. There were 37 competitors. Click here for pictures and now I have video capabilities thanks to my roommate, Kevin gifting me with a mini ipad!

And just this past weekend, Homer had its Mardi Gras and Winter Carnival! Wow, best mardi gras ever. We had a mini parade which I got to participate in. Afterwards, there was a home made brewery contest and I got to judge the Porter Brown category. Best $10 I ever spent.

Then off to Jazzline an awesome dance performance by adults, teens, and youths; variety of music, very talented group. This is such a great place to raise kids, such a smart, creative, and supportive community where kids are encouraged to do their thing. I was pretty shocked and jealous of the bravery. 

Finale, was the ball to with Ray Jen Cajun band. Never seen my local bar so packed. Enjoy the carnival pix and some video, by clicking here.

January pix and intentional descriptive writing

Well January has come and gone, so it's time for my jammed pack Homer January pix album of pink skies, icy beaches, making mead, and a fun game of twister. Not much to report on personally, so I leave you with this...

I tried my first intentional writing exercise that i found online. Yes, it's dark but not to worry all is well. My energy was a bit down in Jan but that's normal. This exercise was kinda fun and a neat exp. i feel naked sharing this, btw :)

Clutter invades the place I call home. From cups to pens to clothing to electronics. Organized chaos is how I describe it. But internally, it's messier than I wish. Pure darkness through the glass is closer than expected or desired. I see the darkness starring right back into my face, a reflection of the inside out.

On the far right, a slow dull tick tock tick tock pains my ears. One sound, I have always despised, driving me mad when in solitude. There's greenery around to cheer up the mood but they too are slowly fading into the darkness.

I pride myself with a high level of smell and at this moment it has given up on me as well. Perhaps my cold is still playing a role. The smell I miss the most when I close my eyes, is that of the beach; the sea water specifically. I can hear it now with all its roaring might. How i miss to swim in that precious, powerful element.

The constant ringing on my left, a drowning sound that won't quit as it struggles for energy to try to warmth my body. As my cold, dry hands lay on the keyboard, i feel the heavy sore weight upon my shoulders. Sinking deeply into the couch but without comfort. Slowly my feet go numb with socks and slippers on. The touch of coldness further throws my body into the dark. I feel that I have lost control. Hot tub is calling me.